Expressive Arts Projects
Additional Resources & Opportunities:
Art is everywhere! In this project, youth will discover various art forms, grow their understanding of historical and cultural contexts, and develop their own creative expressions. Cultivate your creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.
- Beginner: Define and discuss the purpose of art and art forms, and learn about line, shape, form, color, space, texture, and value.
- Intermediate: Understand the principles of art and how to use them in design. Study art from various cultures around the world.
- Advanced: Practice constructive critique methods through peer review. Explore, create, and perform performance art.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team. Submit entries to the Statewide Photography Contest.
More Info
- Wisconsin 4-H Art Appreciation Project Resources
The Computer Graphic Design project introduces 4-H youth to the exciting world of digital art and design. Participants will learn to use graphic design software, develop their artistic skills, and create visually appealing projects.
- Beginner: Exploring different types of graphic design and basic graphic design software.
- Intermediate: Learn and use more advanced features of graphic design software to create more advanced projects.
- Advanced: Design a complete branding package and create a digital portfolio website.
Learning opportunities: Go to Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Arts Team or COMM Team.
More Info
This Creative Writing project inspires and nurtures the storytelling abilities of 4-H youth. Participants will explore various forms of creative writing, including short stories, poetry, and personal narratives. The project aims to enhance writing skills, boost confidence, and encourage self-expression.
- Beginner: Explore different types of writing and begin by writing one or more poems or stories to share.
- Intermediate: Deepen understanding of characters, conflict, and resolution and write in various genres (mystery, fantasy, science fiction, poetry).
- Advanced: Using narrative techniques, write a longer piece and compile a portfolio.
Learning opportunities: Go to Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team, COMM Team, or Drama Company.
More Info
This Drawing & Painting project will teach youth a variety of drawing and painting techniques using different materials, how to blend and shade, and how to mat and frame artwork.
- Beginner: Experiment with line, color, and ways to use materials to express yourself.
- Intermediate: Create using positive and negative space, the elements of art, and different types of media.
- Advanced: Use media techniques, processes, and design principles to create art. Understand drawing & painting in relationship to history and culture.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team. Take part in workshops at a local 4-H learning event.
More Info
Fiber & Textile Arts
Youth will explore fiber art techniques, including weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, and embroidery. This project will help them develop fine motor skills, creativity, and an appreciation for the diversity of fiber arts.
- Beginner: Build basic fiber arts skills with weaving and/or knitting projects.
- Intermediate: Explore more complex patterns and combine techniques to create with fiber.
- Advanced: Learn and practice techniques for needle felting, embroidering, spinning, and more
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team. Attend the annual Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival.
More Info
Folk Arts & Crafts
Youth will explore various folk arts, learn traditional techniques, and understand their cultural significance. This project will help youth develop artistic skills, cultural awareness, and an appreciation for the rich heritage of folk arts.
- Beginner: Learn about the history and significance of folk arts from around the world and create simple folk art projects.
- Intermediate: Learn more advanced folk art techniques, such as batik, advanced embroidery, and wood carving. Develop awareness of appreciation vs. appropriation.
- Advanced: Master advanced folk art techniques, such as intricate beadwork, advanced weaving, or metalworking.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Attend a historical reenactor’s camp. Go to a cultural event or festival where people lead demonstrations. Take part in workshops at a local 4-H learning event.
More Info
- Wisconsin 4-H Folk Arts & Crafts Project Resources
The Performing Arts begin with imagination and creativity. Delve into the dynamic and expressive world of performing arts. Participants will learn various performance techniques, understand the cultural significance behind different performance styles, and create their own performances.
- Beginner: Explore different types of performance arts, their history, and their significance.
- Intermediate: Learn acting, music, dance, and choreography techniques.
- Advanced: Learn more advanced performance techniques, such as character development, improvisation, and playing melodies and harmonies.
Learning opportunities: Join the State 4-H Art Team or Drama Company. Take part in workshops at a local 4-H learning event.
More Info
The 4-H Photography project helps youth explore the world through
the lens of a camera. Learn about equipment, capturing great images, and sharing your knowledge with others.
- Beginner: Get to know your camera and practice with photo composition on different subjects.
- Intermediate: Begin to use manual settings to capture light in different ways.
- Advanced: Explore techniques with different lenses, filters and special film, light sources, viewpoints, framing, lines to lead the eye, and more.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team, COMM Team, or State Photography Committee. Submit entries to the Statewide Photography Contest.
More Info
The Upcycling project teaches 4-H youth the importance of sustainability and creativity by transforming old or discarded items into new, useful products. Participants will learn various upcycling techniques, develop their crafting skills, explore the business of upcycled products, and contribute to environmental conservation.
- Beginner: Learn simple crafting skills (cutting, gluing, painting) and how to use basic tools safely.
- Intermediate: Design an upcycling project from start to finish.
- Advanced: Using advanced upcycling techniques, design and execute an upcycling project to benefit the community.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team.
More Info
- Wisconsin 4-H Upcycling Project Resources
Videos are part of our daily lives. Learning to make videos teaches media literacy—the ability to fully understand media messages that come at us daily. Videography is art, communications, and technology all at once.
- Beginner: Create a storyboard to share your ideas and direction for your video.
- Intermediate: Explore camera equipment and techniques as well as editing software.
- Advanced: Using advanced filmmaking techniques, learn about the film production process.
Learning opportunities: Go to Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team or COMM Team. Take part in workshops at a local 4-H learning event.
More Info
- Wisconsin 4-H Videography Project Resources
Is art your Spark? Cutting and pasting, painting, sculpting, drawing, printing, and construction with various materials are all exciting hands-on activities in the Visual Arts project. With art, you can share your thoughts, explore your emotions, find a career, or change the world.
- Beginner: Experiment with line, color, and ways to use materials to express yourself.
- Intermediate: Create using positive and negative space, the elements of art, and different types of media.
- Advanced: Use media techniques, processes, and design principles to create art. Understand visual art in relationship to history and culture.
Learning opportunities: Go to Art Beat! or Arts Camp. Join the State 4-H Art Team. Take part in workshops at a local 4-H learning event.
More Info
